My Cup of Tea

Attending Kerygma Conference this coming December 3, 2011 at PWC, Davao City. This will be the second time that I will attend KCon. But last year was terrible, I did not finish the event, I went home at 11:30 am and did not return due to some resentment I felt . It was appalling to continue sitting there when deep inside something was revolting so I decided to return home before lunch time. That was pretty bad. But this year, uhmmm, I hope it would be different, I hope I can endure whatever I will going to "witness" there. I've been a Kerygma reader since 1997 when Bo Sanchez was still single (hehe), I bought his first book published in 1999 "You Can Make Your Life Beautiful", a compilation of his "The Boss" section articles in Kerygma magazine.  I am fascinated the way he preached and the way he reached out to people. Though charismatic is not a bonafide program of the Diocesan and my father, who is serving the Catholic church as a lay minister fo

Blessed Pope John Paul II Today marks the beatification of the great Pope, John Paul II, whose amazing life on earth became the source of inspiration to many people. Me, too, always drew inspiration and strength from him, praying to God and Mother Mary fervently through the late pope's intercession for most of the troubles and despair I felt in my life. I felt great after making such prayer in his name. I know how close he is to God and Mother Mary now. Watch the story of Pope John Paul II's life-Part I Part II Part III I grew up admiring his image, back in my childhood years, I thought he was God. He became my favorite world's figure and dreamed to see him in person, until one day, news of his date spread the world and made me so sad. Now, he will be raised to the altar and declared Blessed, the last step for canonization. Today, nothing more important than hearing him one day becoming a saint.

Today is Easter Sunday, one of the most important celebrations in the Catholic calendar, when I attended the 9:00 am mass today, the homily of the priest touches a deep cord in everyone's heart, because it tells how Jesus Christ suffered and sacrificed for the salvation of mankind. Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the center of the Catholic faith because without resurrection, our Christian life would not be meaningful at all. But I am just surprise the way people in the city celebrated the Holy Week, because back in the province we had the holiest way of commemorating the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. When my grandmother was still alive, we had the most strict practice of the observance of the Holy Week. We never eat anything during Good Friday, even if we wish to eat, there's no food in the kitchen anyway, hehe! My Nanay (she died in 2005 at the of 98 with an intact memory who can recall even her first love haha!) never allowed

San Pedro Cathedral, one of the largest Catholic Churches in Asia, made another history with its newly refurbish altar and tabernacle. The grand renovation, which partly done in Baroque architecture, has a stunning contrast of Gothic and Renaissance designs ushering both Theological and modern influences. This is quite interesting since only few Catholic churches in the Philippines so far use Baroque architecture. The structure is furnished in Auburn color accentuated with panel of Gold shade with emblems of Eucharistic mystery. The tabernacle has a luminous ray of Sapphire and Cobalt blue combinations.       The Cathedral's roof structure is designed like a boat symbolizing St. Peter's humble beginning. According to the Holy Bible, when he was handpicked by Jesus Christ to be His disciple, he was still Simeon, the Fisherman, Jesus then renamed him Peter and was later on selected as the "rock" whom Christ built His church. St. Peter became the first Pope, thus, all P

One of the three big posters of Pope John Paul II in my bedroom  At last, one of my wishes will finally come true. Since his death in April 2005, not a day goes passed without remembering his legacy, his humility and great influence to humankind and how his life's story had touched me so deeply. Pope John Paul II was an amazing Catholic figure/World Leader. I always looked up him as one of my greatest role models in life. I always think of him whenever I am in deep trouble. In the late part of 2009, I experienced the most painful circumstances in my life, the intense humiliation heavily damaged my self-confidence. But nobody understood my sad plight. Day and Night, aside from asking help from God and Mother Mary, I prayed to the soul of the great Pope asking his guidance to soothe my troubled spirit, crying so intensely in front of his posters in my room, begging his intercession and mercy. Then the miracle happened. I'd never been so relieved in my life after praying, i

Today is Ash Wednesday and based on Catholic faith tradition this is the beginning of the season of Lent, one of the most important seasons in the Catholic Church calendar. Lent is the season where we commemorate the sacrifices and death of Jesus Christ. According to Vatican Council II book, fasting is not really meant to avoid eating meat, but it can be in the form of any self-sacrifices, giving up some on luxuries and life's comfort. It is a way of expressing sorrow and self-mortification like what Jesus Christ did before to save us from eternal damnation. I was raised in a very strict Catholic environment. I grew up accompanying my father doing his Lay Ministerial job in our Parish, my grandmother was the most strict in the family when it comes to traditional Catholic practices. Back in the province, we had this practice of not eating meal on Good Friday, no talking and no taking a bath. I still practice these traditions in reverence to my faith now that I am living alone in

I seldom attend “anticipated mass for Sunday” (Saturday afternoon mass, normally beyond 5pm) because I am completely aware that anticipated mass is only for people who cannot really make it on Sunday due to illness or very important commitment. But yesterday, I tried breaking the rule because I am afraid I couldn’t make it today as I have so many assignments and reports to prepare...hmmm maybe this is a valid reason..hehe I arrived early, around 4:45pm so I just looked around and seated quietly in the front pew. It was brown out and the humid environment gave me discomfort and mosquitos seemed roaring around my feet. But it was a great one and felt like my heart was bursting! The mass marked the centennial celebration of Institucion Teresiana , an international religious association. Archbishop Fernando Capalla celebrated the mass with some DCD priests and members of the Jesuit Community, Fr. Samson (the outgoing President of Ateneo de Davao ) was there with Fr. Miley and F